Water talks reach boiling point

State Engineer John D’Antonio says a temporary emergency permit granted to New Mexico American Water is merely a stop gap to prevent a water shortage this summer.

During the one-year period, the water utility will be closely monitored and required to report its pumping activity, D’Antonio said during a press conference Friday at the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce.

D’Antonio said if any problems arise, he has jurisdiction to revoke the authorization.

The authorization was intended to be a temporary solution while a request for permanent combined rights filed last June goes through a review process, he said.

Monday, D’Antonio’s office announced it was granting the water utility’s request for expedited emergency authorization to combine water rights. D’Antonio said the utility’s request was approved because the company said it may not be able to meet the city’s water needs after May 10.

The authorization allows NMAW to increase pumping at wells that were limited but have higher capability than other wells is using.2010-04-092010-04-09

The utility says it says can’t produce enough to meet community needs.

D’Antonio encouraged the community and the utility to return to the table to discuss solutions for the difficulties the company is facing in providing water.

Opponents have argued the decision allows NMAW to pull more water from the aquifer shared by the region and will affect others’ water levels.

They also say NMAW invented the emergency situation to gain free water rights and did it in an underhanded way, not notifying anyone it had requested the expedited authorization.

Tuesday, the Curry County Commission adopted a resolution opposing the authorization and withdrew its representation from an area working group on water issues.

Commissioner Wendell Bostwick said he and other members felt the utility bypassed the working group and violated its trust when it submitted its most recent emergency request.

Utility General Manager Kathy Wright said there was no intent to bypass the group.

“In hindsight, we could have been more specific in the March 23 (group) meeting, but we did discuss that we were working with the state engineer … and that we expected a decision in a few weeks. It was by no means meant to be a surprise.”